Face Up to It: Francine’s Story

Aug 31, 2011 by Brooke McMillan

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When you think of Africa and health issues, do you think of cancer? Chances are you don’t. There is a huge misconception that cancer is a “privileged” disease that only effects higher income societies. The truth of the matter is that cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and over 70% of cancer deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries. The statistics are far greater when you incorporate all noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Heart and lung disease, diabetes and cancer account for 80% of all deaths in developing countries.

Francine is a perfect example of how the proper care can treat disease before it is too late. She was treated by our colleagues at Partners in Health at the Rwinkwavu Hospital in Rwanda

Listen to Francine’s story below then add your face to our global mosaic to show your support.

The UN Summit on Noncommunicable Disease will be held in NYC September 19-20. The meeting will raise the profile of NCDs on the global stage, mobilize the international community to take action, secure the commitment of Heads of State to lead the cross-government effort necessary to reverse the epidemic, and send a clear message to donors and funders. We ask you to show your support for people affected by noncommunicable diseases and ask your world leaders to Face Up to It and help people like Francine- like you.

The HIV/AIDS Special Session held in 2001 resulted in a Heads of State Declaration of Commitment that paved the way for an urgent international response. It also led to the creation of the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria, which has raised nearly US $10 billion in development funding for low- and middle-income countries. It is our hope that the UN Summit on NCD’s next month will create a similar call-to-action. We need your help to show the importance of this cause. If you have been affected by heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or cancer, please add your face to the mosaic and show your support.

Francine is living proof of the hope we can bring to survivors in developing nations everywhere. We?re not waiting on governments to take action; we?re showing them how it?s done. But to turn the global cancer crisis around, we need their help. Tell world leaders to “Face Up to It” and make the decision to address the NCD crisis just as they did in 2001 for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria.